Lipantil^® Micro 67 mg, capsules.

Each capsule contains 67 mg fenofibrate.

Excipients with known effect: each capsule contains:

- 33.8 mg of lactose monohydrate.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Yellow, hard gelatin capsule.

Lipantil^® Micro 67mg is indicated as an adjunct to diet and other non-pharmacological treatment (e.g. exercise, weight reduction) for the following:

- Treatment of severe hypertriglyceridaemia with or without low HDL cholesterol.

- Mixed hyperlipidaemia when a statin is contraindicated or not tolerated.

- Mixed hyperlipidaemia in patients at high cardiovascular risk in addition to a statin when triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are not adequately controlled.

Response to therapy should be monitored by determination of serum lipid values. If an adequate response has not been achieved after several months (e.g. 3 months), complementary or different therapeutic measures should be considered.

Posology:

Adults:

The recommended dose is 200mg daily administered as three capsules of Lipantil^® Micro 67mg.

The dose can be titrated up to 267mg daily administered as 4 capsules of Lipantil^® Micro 67mg, if required.

Special populations

Geriatric population:

In elderly patients, the usual adult dose is recommended.

Paediatric population:

In children, the recommended dose is one capsule (67mg) micronised fenofibrate / day / 20kg body weight (see section 4.4).

Renal Impairment:

In renal dysfunction, the dosage may need to be reduced depending on the rate of creatinine clearance, for example:

Hepatic impairment:

Lipantil^® Micro 67mg is not recommended for use in patients with hepatic impairment due to the lack of data.

Method of administration:

Capsules should be swallowed whole during a meal.

-Hepatic insufficiency (including biliary cirrhosis and unexplained persistent liver function abnormality,

-Known gallbladder disease,

-Severe renal dysfunction,

-Chronic or acute pancreatitis with the exception of acute pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia,

-Known photoallergy or phototoxic reaction during treatment with fibrates or ketoprofen,

-Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Secondary causes of hyperlipidemia:

Secondary causes of hyperlipidemia , such as uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, dysproteinemia, obstructive liver disease, pharmacological treatment, alcoholism, should be adequately treated before fenofibrate therapy is considered.

Renal function

Treatment should be interrupted in case of an increase in creatinine levels > 50% ULN (upper limit of normal). It is recommended that creatinine is measured during the first three months after initiation of treatment and thereafter periodically (for dose recommendations, see section 4.2).

Liver function

As with other lipid lowering agents, increases have been reported in transaminase levels in some patients. In the majority of cases these elevations were transient, minor and asymptomatic. It is recommended that transaminase levels are monitored every 3 months during the first 12 months of treatment and thereafter periodically. Attention should be paid to patients who develop increase in transaminase levels and therapy should be discontinued if AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) levels increase to more than 3 times the upper limit of the normal range. When symptoms indicative of hepatitis occur (e.g. jaundice, pruritus), and diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing, fenofibrate therapy should be discontinued.

Pancreas:

Pancreatitis has been reported in patients taking fenofibrate (see sections 4.3 and 4.8). This occurrence may represent a failure of efficacy in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, a direct drug effect, or a secondary phenomenon mediated through biliary tract stone or sludge formation with obstruction of the common bile duct.

Muscle:

Muscle toxicity, including rare cases of rhabdomyolysis, with or without renal failure, has been reported with administration of fibrates and other lipid-lowering agents. The incidence of this disorder increases in cases of hypoalbuminaemia and previous renal insufficiency. Patients with pre-disposing factors for myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis, including age above 70 years, personal or familial history of hereditary muscular disorders, renal impairment, hypothyroidism and high alcohol intake, may be at an increased risk of developing rhabdomyolysis. For these patients, the putative benefits and risks of fenofibrate therapy should be carefully weighed up.

Muscle toxicity should be suspected in patients presenting diffuse myalgia, myositis, muscular cramps and weakness and/or marked increases in CPK (levels exceeding 5 times the normal range). In such cases treatment with fenofibrate should be stopped.

The risk of muscle toxicity may be increased if the drug is administered with another fibrate or an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, especially in cases of pre-existing muscular disease. Consequently, the co-prescription of fenofibrate with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or another fibrate should be reserved to patients with severe combined dyslipidaemia and high cardiovascular risk without any history of muscular disease and a close monitoring of potential muscle toxicity.

For hyperlipidaemic patients taking oestrogens or contraceptives containing oestrogen it should be ascertained whether the hyperlipidaemia is of primary or secondary nature (possible elevation of lipid values caused by oral oestrogen).

Excipients:

As this medicinal product contains Lactose, patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

In children

Only an hereditary disease (familial hyperlipidaemia) justifies early treatment, and the precise nature of the hyperlipidaemia must be determined by genetic and laboratory investigations. It is recommended to begin treatment with controlled dietary restrictions for a period of at least 3 months. Proceeding to medicinal treatment should only be considered after specialist advice and only in severe forms with clinical signs of atherosclerosis and/or xanthomata and/or in cases where patients suffer from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease before the age of 40.

Oral anti-coagulants

Fenofibrate enhances oral anti-coagulant effect and may increase risk of bleeding. In patients receiving oral anti-coagulant therapy, the dose of anti-coagulant should be reduced by about one-third at the commencement of treatment and then gradually adjusted if necessary according to INR (International Normalised Ratio) monitoring.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or Other Fibrates

The risk of serious muscle toxicity is increased if a fibrate is used concomitantly with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or other fibrates. Such combination therapy should be used with caution and patients monitored closely for signs of muscle toxicity (see Section 4.4).

There is currently no evidence to suggest that fenofibrate affects the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin.

Cyclosporin

Some severe cases of reversible renal function impairment have been reported during concomitant administration of fenofibrate and cyclosporin. The renal function of these patients must therefore be closely monitored and the treatment with fenofibrate stopped in the case of severe alteration of laboratory parameters.

Glitazones

Some cases of reversible paradoxical reduction of HDL-cholesterol have been reported during concomitant administration of fenofibrate and glitazones. Therefore it is recommended to monitor HDL-cholesterol if one of these components is added to the other and stopping of either therapy if HDL-cholesterol is too low.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes

In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate that fenofibrate and fenofibric acid are not inhibitors of cytochrome (CYP) P450 isoforms CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP1A2. They are weak inhibitors of CYP2C19 and CYP2A6, and mild-to-moderate of CYP2C9 at therapeutic concentrations.

Patients co-administered fenofibrate and CYP2C19, CYP2A6, and especially CYP2C9 metabolised drugs with a narrow therapeutic index should be carefully monitored and, if necessary, dose adjustment of these drugs is recommended.

Other

No proven clinical interactions of fenofibrate with other drugs have been reported, although in vitro interaction studies suggest displacement of phenylbutazone from plasma protein binding sites. In common with other fibrates, fenofibrate induces microsomal mixed-function oxidases involved in fatty acid metabolism in rodents and may interact with drugs metabolised by these enzymes.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate data from the use of fenofibrate in pregnant women. Animal studies have not demonstrated any teratogenic effects. Embryotoxic effects have been shown at doses in the range of maternal toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.

Therefore, Lipantil^® Micro 67mg should only be used during pregnancy after a careful benefit/risk assessment.

Lactation: It is unknown whether fenofibrate is excreted in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. Therefore fenofibrate should not be used during breast-feeding.

Lipantil^® Micro 67mg has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

The most commonly reported ADRs during Lipantil therapy are digestive, gastric or intestinal disorders.

The following undesirable effects have been observed during placebo-controlled clinical trials (n=2344) with the below indicated frequencies:

*: In the FIELD-study, a randomized placebo-controlled trial performed in 9,795 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a statistically significant increase in pancreatitis cases was observed in patients receiving fenofibrate versus patients receiving placebo (0.8% versus 0.5%; p = 0.031). In the same study, a statistically significant increase was reported in the incidence of pulmonary embolism (0.7% in the placebo group versus 1.1% in the fenofibrate group; p = 0.022) and a statistically non-significant increase in deep vein thromboses (placebo: 1.0% [48/4,900 patients] versus fenofibrate 1.4% [67/4,895 patients]; p = 0.074).

In addition to those events reported during clinical trials, the following side effects have been reported spontaneously during postmarketing use of Lipantil. A precise frequency cannot be estimated from the available data and is therefore classified as “not known”.

- Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Interstitial lung disease.

- Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders: Rhabdomyolysis.

- Hepatobiliary disorders: jaundice, complications of cholelithiasis (e.g. cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary colic)

- Fatigue

- Vertigo

Only anecdotal cases of fenofibrate overdosage have been received. In the majority of cases no overdose symptoms were reported.

No specific antidote is known. If overdose is suspected, treat symptomatically and institute appropriate supportive measures as required. Fenofibrate cannot be eliminated by haemodialysis

Serum Lipid Reducing Agents/Cholesterol and Triglyceride Reducers/Fibrates. ATC code:C10 AB 05.

Lipantil Micro 67 is a formulation containing 67mg of micronised fenofibrate.

Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative whose lipid modifying effects reported in humans are mediated via activation of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor type α (PPARα). Through activation of PPARα, fenofibrate increases lipolysis and elimination of atherogenic triglyceride rich particles from plasma by activating lipoprotein lipase and reducing production of Apoprotein C-III. Activation of PPARα also induces an increase in the synthesis of Apoproteins A-I and A-II.

Because of its effect on LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, treatment with fenofibrate should be beneficial in hypercholesterolaemic patients with hypertriglyceridaemia, including secondary hyperlipoproteinaemia such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

There is evidence that treatment with fibrates may reduce coronary heart disease events but they have not been shown to decrease all cause mortality in the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) lipid trial was a randomized placebo-controlled study of 5518 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with fenofibrate in addition to simvastatin. Fenofibrate plus simvastatin therapy did not show any significant differences compared to simvastatin monotherapy in the composite primary outcome of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.79-1.08, p = 0.32 ; absolute risk reduction: 0.74%). In the pre-specified subgroup of dyslipidaemic patients, defined as those in the lowest tertile of HDL-C (≤34 mg/dl or 0.88 mmol/L) and highest tertile of TG (≥204 mg/dl or 2.3 mmol/L) at baseline, fenofibrate plus simvastatin therapy demonstrated a 31% relative reduction compared to simvastatin monotherapy for the composite primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97, p = 0.03; absolute risk reduction: 4.95%). Another prespecified subgroup analysis identified a statistically significant treatment-by-gender interaction (p = 0.01) indicating a possible treatment benefit of combination therapy in men (p=0.037) but a potentially higher risk for the primary outcome in women treated with combination therapy compared to simvastatin monotherapy (p=0.069). This was not observed in the aforementioned subgroup of patients with dyslipidaemia but there was also no clear evidence of benefit in dyslipidaemic women treated with fenofibrate plus simvastatin, and a possible harmful effect in this subgroup could not be excluded.

Studies with fenofibrate consistently show decreases in levels of LDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol levels are frequently increased. Triglyceride levels are also reduced. This results in a decrease in the ratio of low and very low density lipoproteins to high density lipoproteins, which has been correlated with a decrease in atherogenic risk in epidemiological studies. Apolipoprotein-A and apolipoprotein-B levels are altered in parallel with HDL and LDL and VLDL levels respectively.

Extravascular deposits of cholesterol (tendinous and tuberous xanthoma) may be markedly reduced or even entirely eliminated during fenofibrate therapy.

Plasma uric acid levels are increased in approximately 20% of hyperlipidaemic patients, particularly in those with type IV phenotype.

The uricosuric effect of fenofibrate leading to reduction in uric acid levels of approximately 25% should be of additional benefit in those dyslipidaemic patients with hyperuricaemia.

Fenofibrate has been shown to possess an anti-aggregatory effect on platelets in animals and in a clinical study, which showed a reduction in platelet aggregation induced by ADP, arachidonic acid and epinephrine.

Patients with raised levels of fibrinogen treated with fenofibrate have shown significant reductions in this parameter, as have those with raised levels of Lp(a). Other inflammatory markers such as C Reactive Protein are reduced with fenofibrate treatment.

Limited paediatric data are available. The effects of fenofibrate in dyslipidemic children have been studied in two small clinical trials and in an open long-term surveillance registry with 76 hypercholesterolemic children aged 3 to 18 years receiving fenofibrate for 1 to 11 years. However, due to limited data and methodological insufficiencies, no definitive conclusion can be drawn on the use of fenofibrate in dyslipidemic children.

Adverse events similar to those observed in adults have been reported in children: leucopenia, liver function test abnormal, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, hepatitis, jaundice, myositis and rhabdomyolysis.

Absorption:

Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) occur within 4 to 5 hours after oral administration. Plasma concentrations are stable during continuous treatment in any given individual.

The absorption of fenofibrate is increased when administered with food.

Distribution:

Fenofibric acid is strongly bound to plasma albumin (more than 99%).

Metabolism and excretion:

After oral administration, fenofibrate is rapidly hydrolised by esterases to the active metabolite fenofibric acid.

No unchanged fenofibrate can be detected in the plasma. Fenofibrate is not a substrate for CYP 3A4. No hepatic microsomal metabolism is involved.

The drug is excreted mainly in the urine. Practically all the drug is eliminated within 6 days. Fenofibrate is mainly excreted in the form of fenofibric acid and its glucuronoconjugate.

In elderly patients, the fenofibric acid apparent total plasma clearance is not modified.

Kinetic studies following the administration of a single dose and continuous treatment have demonstrated that the drug does not accumulate.

Fenofibric acid is not eliminated during haemodialysis.

The plasma elimination half-life of fenofibric acid is approximately 20 hours.

Chronic toxicity studies have yielded no relevant information about specific toxicity of fenofibrate. Studies on mutagenicity of fenofibrate have been negative. In rats and mice, liver tumours have been found at high dosages, which are attributable to peroxisome proliferation. These changes are specific to small rodents and have not been observed in other animal species. This is of no relevance to therapeutic use in man. Studies in mice, rats and rabbits did not reveal any teratogenic effect. Embryotoxic effects were observed at doses in the range of maternal toxicity. Prolongation of the gestation period and difficulties during delivery were observed at high doses. No sign of any effect on fertility has been detected.

Excipients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, pregelatinised starch, sodium laurilsulfate, crospovidone.

Composition of the capsule shell: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), quinoline yellow (E104) and erythrosine (E127).

No effect noted to date.

3 years.

Store in the original package. Do not store above 30°C.

Pack of 28,56,84,90 capsules in blisters (PVC/Aluminium).

*Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd

Mansbridge Road

West End

Southampton

SO18 3JD

United Kingdom

PL 00512/0387

11 September 1997/10th September 2002

19/12/2012

POM